Lexical Summary pelili: Judicial, legal, pertaining to judgment Original Word: פְלִילִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance judge From paliyl; judicial -- judge. see HEBREW paliyl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom palal Definition for a judge, calling for judgment NASB Translation judgment (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְּלִילִי adjective for a judge, calling for judgement; — ׳עָוֺן פ Job 31:28 (on Job 31:11 see מָּלִיל Kueond (2) 161 reads עֲוֺן מְּלִילִים in both vJob 31:11 and vJob 31:28). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Biblical Usage The Hebrew term פְּלִילִי (pelili) appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 31:28. In that verse Job concludes his self-defense by affirming that if he had bowed to the sun or moon, “this also would be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high” (Job 31:28). The word designates formal judicial action—the deliberation of arbiters empowered to render verdicts on covenant violations. By employing this rare term, the author highlights the seriousness of idolatry: it is not merely a private fault but a crime that ought to be brought before an official tribunal entrusted with upholding divine law. Historical-Legal Background In the Mosaic economy, worship of created things was treason against the covenant Lord (Exodus 20:3–5; Deuteronomy 17:2–7). Such cases were to be tried “before the priests and the judges in office at that time” (Deuteronomy 17:9). Job, though living outside Israel’s borders and prior to Sinai, recognizes the same moral order. His appeal to פְּלִילִי presupposes a community that respects an objective, God-given standard and acknowledges appointed judges who act as earthly representatives of the heavenly court (compare Deuteronomy 1:16–17; 2 Chronicles 19:6). Theological Significance 1. Human courts mirror the divine tribunal. By invoking judicial scrutiny, Job implicitly affirms that moral reality is not fluid; it is anchored in the character of God who “loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33:5). Christological and Eschatological Connections Earthly judges foreshadow the ultimate Judge. Jesus Christ declared that “the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). The fidelity of human arbiters, symbolized by פְּלִילִי, finds its perfect expression in the righteous judgment seat of Christ before which “we must all appear” (2 Corinthians 5:10). For believers, the certainty of that future session is both a warning against idolatry (1 John 5:21) and a comfort that wrongs will be righted (Revelation 19:2). Ministry Application 1. Preaching and Teaching: Job 31 lends itself to sermons on the danger of heart-level idolatry. Modern substitutes for the sun and moon—career, technology, relationships—are equally subject to divine scrutiny. Practical Implications for the Church • Uphold righteous standards in corporate life, remembering that the church is called to display God’s wisdom “to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10). Summary Though appearing only once, פְּלִילִי carries weighty significance. It anchors Job’s declaration of innocence in the context of public, covenantal accountability, underlining that idolatry deserves formal judgment because it is a denial of God Himself. The term points beyond ancient legal assemblies to the consummate judgment executed by Jesus Christ, motivating God’s people to pursue integrity, uphold justice, and renounce every rival to the Lord of heaven and earth. Forms and Transliterations פְּלִילִ֑י פלילי pə·lî·lî peliLi pəlîlîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 31:28 HEB: ה֭וּא עָוֹ֣ן פְּלִילִ֑י כִּֽי־ כִחַ֖שְׁתִּי NAS: would have been an iniquity [calling for] judgment, For I would have denied KJV: This also [were] an iniquity [to be punished by] the judge: for I should have denied INT: he have been an iniquity judgment would have denied 1 Occurrence |
    |